Security Services Research Articles

The activities of Chinese private security companies as a tool for expanding China’s geopolitical influence

Relevance. The collapse of the bipolar world and the building of international relations in conditions of increasing turbulence have led to the intensification of the use of private paramilitary forces by both states and economic entities to protect their business interests and follow geopolitical priorities. China, being one of the key actors in global economic relations, has been increasing its presence abroad since 2010 by expanding the geography of private security companies.The purpose of the paper is to study the development of the activities of private security companies in China as a tool for expanding geopolitical influence.The objectives are to systematize the features and activities of PSCs; review Chinese national legislation regarding private security companies; study the market for private security services in China; analyze the activities of Chinese PSCs abroad.Methodology. The study has used applied and general scientific research methods, including systemic and comparative analysis, as well as synthesis of information on the topic of the work.Results. The study has examined the reasons for the development of the market for private military and security services, highlighted the main advantages and disadvantages of PSCs, investigated the dynamics of the formation of Chinese PSCs, analyzed the geography of the activities of Chinese PSCs in foreign markets.Conclusion. Given the transformation of the system for ensuring international stability, the states’ demand for private security services has increased significantly. China is armed with a national market for private security companies, some of which operate in foreign markets. The geography of the activities of Chinese PSCs coincides with the geopolitical interests of the PRC and the regions where major investment projects are being implemented.

Diabetic foot ulcer photography study: a study within a trial to assess the reliability of two-dimensional (2D) photography for the assessment of ulcer healing in patients with diabetes-related foot ulcers—protocol paper

BackgroundThe primary endpoint in diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) trials is often time to healing, defined as complete re-epithelialisation with absence of drainage, requiring clinical expert assessment as the gold standard....

Assessing the Impact of ICT on Export Performance: A Comparative Analysis of ASEAN‐5 and Partner Countries

ABSTRACTThe study examines the effects of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on foreign trade in goods and services between ASEAN‐5 (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia) and their trading partners. This research employs the System‐GMM estimation method to investigate the impacts of the ICT. The analysis is conducted using a panel dataset comprising of 5 exporting countries and 20 trading partner countries over the period of 2010–2023. ICT plays a crucial role in influencing the export performance of ASEAN‐5 countries overall, goods and services. First, various ICT variables have an impact on export. The fixed broadband subscriptions of ASEAN‐5 countries had a stronger positive effect on goods export compared to total export and services export. Moreover, the internet secure servers of importing countries only had a significantly influence on services export. Similarly, mobile cellular subscriptions of ASEAN‐5 countries showed a positive relationship with services export. Furthermore, mobile cellular subscriptions of trading partners had a more positive effect on total export and goods export than services export. Second, mobile cellular subscriptions and fixed broadband subscriptions had a stronger influence on export than internet secure servers. Finally, the individual regression estimation for each ASEAN‐5 member revealed that three ICT factors contributed to the increase in export volume in total, goods, and services between ASEAN‐5 countries and their trading partners. While ICT indicators had a stronger influence on export in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, they also had a significant and positive impact on export in Thailand and Vietnam. The research objective is to assess the impact of ICT application on ASEAN‐5 trade by measuring the influence of the ICT index on trade flows in goods and services. First, it analyses the differential impacts of ICT on total export, goods exports, and services exports of ASEAN‐5 to their trading partner countries. Second, it compares the differences in effects of total export, goods exports, and services exports between five ASEAN member countries. Finally, the study has important implications for the governments of Southeast Asian countries in proposing ICT development policies, contributing to international trade development and economic growth.

Pengaruh Kualitas Layanan dan Fomo terhadap Minat Penggunaan Bank Digital di Indonesia dengan Kepercayaan sebagai Variabel Moderasi

This study aims to analyze the effect of service quality and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) on public interest in using digital banks in Indonesia, with trust as a moderating variable. With the increasing digitalization in the banking sector, understanding the factors that drive public interest in digital banking has become crucial, particularly amid concerns over service security and reliability. This study employs a quantitative approach with a survey method involving 464 respondents, both users and non-users of digital banking services across Indonesia. Data analysis was conducted using the Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method with the assistance of SmartPLS software version 4.1.0.2. Service quality was measured using indicators such as reliability, accessibility, responsiveness, and service personalization. Meanwhile, FOMO was measured through indicators such as the perception of missing out, social anxiety, drive to adopt new technology, and social media influence. The results show that service quality has no significant effect on digital banking interest. However, FOMO has a significant positive effect on public interest in using these services. Additionally, trust has a significant but negative moderating effect on the relationship between FOMO and usage interest. This means that as trust in digital banking increases, the influence of FOMO on interest tends to decrease. This suggests that users who already trust the security of digital banking make more rational decisions and are less influenced by trends or social pressure. On the other hand, trust does not moderate the relationship between service quality and digital banking interest.

Research on the trustworthiness and security of inclusive financial services based on blockchain

Research on the trustworthiness and security of inclusive financial services based on blockchain

Improving the Performance and Security of Tor's Onion Services

Tor is one of the most widely used anonymous communication networks today. A popular feature of Tor is its onion services, anonymous network services that can only be accessed via the Tor network. This enables users to both host and access such services anonymously, protecting onion services from censorship and take-down. According to Tor Metrics, over 150,000 onion services collectively serve traffic at a rate of nearly 4 Gbps, with applications ranging from news services to chat to whistleblowing. Unfortunately, onion services also suffer from a variety of performance and security concerns. Latency can be extremely high, and many services face denial of service and deanonymization attacks due to the content and types of services that they host. In this work we seek to help address these concerns without making any changes to Tor, thus making our improvements immediately useful and deployable. To do this, we leverage a recent advance in programmable anonymity networks, which allows one to deploy user-written functions on willing Tor relays. We use this architecture to design the first Content Delivery Network (CDN) for onion services, which we call CenTor. CenTor allows onion services to take advantage of many traditional CDN benefits, such as replication and load balancing and bringing content (geographically) closer to the client. These techniques and applications raise an interesting trade-off between performance and anonymity for users, which we rigorously explore and quantify. We implement, deploy, and evaluate our architecture on the Tor network, demonstrating how these techniques are immediately able to extend and improve the capabilities, performance, and defenses of onion services, without any changes to the Tor protocol.

Study of Multi-Service Networks and Communication Systems Using Distributed Network Technology in Mountain Areas

It should be noted that the development of the digital economy directly depends on the introduction of advanced technologies: nanotechnology, biotechnology, complex energy systems technologies, quantum technologies, etc. At the same time, it is difficult to imagine the further development of corporate multiservice networks and communication systems without the widespread introduction of innovative technologies in a single information telecommunication infrastructure. The interaction of corporate multiservice networks and innovative technologies allows you to create a virtual transport network, with the help of which you manage transmitted useful and service packages and provide services. The FN concept involves the introduction of virtualization technologies, artificial intelligence methods and tools on a corporate network. The article analyzes the characteristics of corporate multiservice networks and communication systems using the technology of building distributed communication networks. The characteristics of corporate multiservice networks and communication systems using the technology of building distributed communication networks are analyzed and investigated, and a mathematical model of quality of service is proposed taking into account the management of information and network resources. It was found that the integrated performance indicators of multiservice corporate networks are largely determined by the reliability, information security and quality of service of IP / MPLS switching nodes and the IMS-Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem multimedia communication system using the signaling system and protocols for providing multimedia services and establishing session sessions. Thus, the results of QoS & QoE quality of service research and an analysis of numerical calculations of the probability and time characteristics of corporate multiservice networks based on the architectural concept of NGN and FN using the concept of SDN, NFV and IMS, requires the study of complex performance indicators of multiservice enterprise networks.

The Adoption of Smart Home Security Service

The Adoption of Smart Home Security Service

Chinese migrant workers’ integration into cities and land transfer amid urban–rural population mobility

Following the economic reforms and opening up, the Chinese government has implemented policies aimed at promoting land transfer, yet the rate of rural land transfer continues to be relatively low, resulting in inefficient land use in rural regions. The movement of people from rural to urban areas is a key driver of land transfer, and the level of integration of migrant workers in urban settings is closely tied to their decisions to transfer land. We analyzed survey data from 1,533 migrant worker households using a binary logistic regression model and conducted an endogeneity test with a two-stage least squares model. The findings indicate that economic, social, psychological, and identity integration, as well as overall urban integration, have a significant positive impact on the likelihood of land transfer, the involvement of non-relatives in transfers, and the length of time land is transferred.Economic integration significantly influences the decision of migrant workers to transfer land, social integration plays a substantial role in transfers involving non-relatives, and psychological and identity integration significantly affects the duration of land transfers. In summary, the analysis recommends that policymakers prioritize fostering a more inclusive urban environment for migrant workers, enhance employment opportunities and social security services for this group, and facilitate the participation of migrant workers in the land transfer market to maximize the value of their land assets.

The Role of Informal Security Service in Addressing Banditry and Kidnapping in Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State, Nigeria.

There is a growing interest in the impact of informal security service on banditry and kidnapping, given the increasing insecurity challenges facing many African countries, including Nigeria. The objective of this paper is to examine the role of informal security actors in addressing banditry and kidnapping in Zuru emirate of Kebbi state, Nigeria. Mixed methods research was used, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative designs. Questionnaires served as instruments for quantitative data collection, and a total of four hundred (400) questionnaires were distributed to the people in Zuru Emirate to gain their perceptions of the efforts of informal actors. For the qualitative part, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted with leaders of informal security actors, traditional rulers, and law enforcement agencies. SPSS was used to analyze quantitative data, while thematic and content analyses were utilized for qualitative data. The outcome of the study revealed that a significant number of respondents strongly agreed that informal security actors are effective personnel in addressing banditry and kidnapping. They play a crucial role in protecting lives and property and ensuring safety, peace, and stability in Zuru Emirate, especially in the rural areas where banditry and kidnapping are prevalent. This study recommends collaborations with other security agencies, such as the police and military, to share intelligence and resources in combating banditry.

TileChain: A Blockchain-Based Framework for Security Service Management for Vehicular Communications

TileChain: A Blockchain-Based Framework for Security Service Management for Vehicular Communications

Keamanan Informasi dan Privasi Pengguna dalam Layanan Perpustakaan Digital

The development of libraries from conventional to digital-based libraries has brought significant impacts on the way library services are provided and accessed by users. However, along with its benefits, digital libraries face new challenges related to data security and user privacy such as effective protection of personal data. This research aims to analyze security and privacy threats in digital library services and identify the implementation of security technologies and privacy policies in this context. This research uses the narrative literature review method to analyze 12 references relevant to the topic of information security and user privacy in digital library services. This research has security and privacy risks involved in digital library services, how security technologies are implemented, and how privacy regulations and policies impact the situation. Results show that virus attacks and brute force attacks are some of the security threats of digital libraries. To protect sensitive user data, the use of security technologies such as data encryption and the use of firewalls are also very important. Privacy regulations and policies such as GDPR go a long way in helping digital libraries maintain the privacy of their users. This analysis enhances our understanding of the problems and solutions in data security management and user privacy in digital library services. Thus, this research highlights the importance of managing information security and user privacy in the context of digital library services to ensure optimal protection of sensitive user data.

2023 Control Measures to Curb Violence and the Security Services

2023 Control Measures to Curb Violence and the Security Services

Civilian safety in the context of mine warfare in Ukraine

This article reveals the threats to the safety of civilians associated with the extensive mining of Ukrainian territory, which is a side effect of the fierce fighting taking place in that country since the invasion by Russian Federation troops and the Wagner Group mercenary formations working with them. Both belligerents employ substantial numbers of mines and barriers, including anti-tank, anti-personnel and anti-amphibian mines in combat operations. Improvised explosive devices are frequently used to harass the opposing side. Further, the intense fighting carried out with tank, artillery, rocket and various aerial munitions leaves behind vast quantities of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other explosive and dangerous items. This article presents the various types of weapons used in the course of hostilities on Ukrainian territory, which not only contribute to the UXO contamination of the area but, above all, pose a lethal threat to the civilian population. The scale of these dangers is enormous, and each new day of fighting only multiplies them. While the civilian security services take numerous measures to rapidly demine Ukraine, civilian casualties caused by UXO and other explosive and dangerous items occur virtually every day. The final section outlines the challenges that Ukraine will face in the coming years in terms of ensuring the safety of civilians, as well as recommendations for international assistance to Ukraine in implementing the process of clearing the country’s territory of explosive and dangerous items.

Formation of the public image of the KGB in 1954–1991

The article analyzes the main trends in the presentation of the activities of the domestic security services in the public space in 1950s - 1991. The authors analyze the main content of the media discourse that accompanied the activities of the USSR KGB. This discourse of representations about its own past, traditions and innovations in its work and special corporate ethics. Using discourse analysis, the authors examine the PR-strategies of the Soviet state security agencies as an expression of the changes in the state policy towards the special services and the evolution of their own, departmental, narrative about the past and present. The authors analyze the dynamics of this process: from the first attempts at “self-purification” of the Khrushchev era of the 1950s to the adherence to the ideals of the perestroika era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. As a result, a conclusion is drawn about the potential influence of the KGB's media discourse about itself and its past on the mechanisms of interaction between the state security agencies and Russian society and the formation of the public image of the security services as a whole.

Modern legislation regarding the challenges of 21st century technology - selected aspects of legal regulations and technology security

This publication discusses legal issues related to selected areas of security, including cybersecurity, digital service security, fire safety as well as safety in the area of nanotechnology – in particular in relation to requirements concerning environmental standards, products and waste management (storage, recycling, incineration, etc.). The authors of the article analyse not only the applicable EU and national regulations, indicating the proposed areas of change, but also discuss the threats related to the use of 21st century technologies and indicate the challenges posed by new technologies in the regulatory area. By analysing extremely different substantive issues covering law, engineering and science, the authors made the same assessment of the relations between law and 21st century technology. The results of research and analyses presented by them concerning both cybersecurity and fire safety and the use of nanotechnology confirm the thesis that law is unable to keep up with the dynamic development of new technologies.

Public services at Motaain State cross border post

Motaain National Border Post (PLBN) is a border post between the Republic of Indonesia (RI) and the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (RDTL) which plays an important and strategic role in providing immigration, customs, quarantine, and security services for border crossers between the two countries. As a gateway for entry and exit from Indonesia to RDTL and vice versa, PLBN Motaain must be able to provide maximum service by the achievement targets, namely fast, efficient, and friendly public services. The results of qualitative research using observation, interview, and documentation data collection techniques, show that public service governance from an organizational structure approach, service processes, and collaboration between existing agencies, has several problems which are challenges in public service governance at PLBN Motaain. These challenges include limited human resources, limited budget, facilities, and logistics, illegal levies, and limited coordination between agencies. This condition must be addressed immediately to be able to provide effective, efficient, and friendly public services.

Cyber Notary Problems in Legal Reform in Indonesia

Cyber notary is a concept of using digital technology that is expected to bring great benefits to the legal system and society in Indonesia. Along with the development of digital technology, this concept is proposed as a solution to improve efficiency and security in notary services. Cyber notary allows the process of document validation and electronic signing to be carried out online, utilizing technologies such as blockchain and digital signatures. However, its implementation still faces various challenges. One of the main problems is the lack of comprehensive and specific regulations governing the use of digital technology in notary practice. In addition, concerns about the security and privacy of electronic data are serious obstacles. Cyber attacks and the risk of forgery of electronic documents require a stronger and more sophisticated security mechanism. In addition, in remote areas that still experience limited internet access. The lack of understanding and technical expertise among notaries who are tech-savvy also hinders the adoption of cyber notary. These factors emphasize the need for increased capacity and training for notaries to adapt digital technology in cyber notary practice. This study uses normative legal research with a legislative approach(statute approach) that examines regulations and laws relating to legal issues regarding cyber notary. This study examines the implementation and challenges faced in implementing the concept of "cyber notary" in Indonesia, the things that are considered are the need for revision and development of more specific regulations as well as collaborative efforts between the government, technology providers, and notary associations to overcome these challenges. It can be concluded that with the right steps and government support both in terms of policy and technology, the implementation of cyber notary in Indonesia can increase efficiency and trust in notary services in the digital era.

Legal Review of the Use of Smart Contracts in Cyber Notary Services with Blockchain Security Based on the Perspective of UUJN and UU ITE

This study examines the application of smart contracts in cyber notary services in Indonesia that use blockchain security and then conducts an in-depth analysis of regulations that accommodate their relationship with UUJN and UU ITE. The concept of smart contracts is based on the need for fast, cheap, objective, real-time and online exchange of goods and services, so that it is widely used in electronic transactions. Basically, electronic contracts are the same as contracts in general, the only difference is that electronic contracts are made through an electronic system while conventional contracts are made directly in oral or written form, as well as smart contracts that are present through an electronic program in the field of contracts based on the principle of freedom of contract regulated in the third book of the Civil Code, and Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning Amendments to Law Number 11 of 2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions or the ITE Law, in addition to its implementation regulated in Government Regulation Number 71 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Electronic Systems and Transactions or PP PSTE and Government Regulation Number 80 of 2019 concerning Trade through electronic systems hereinafter referred to as PP PMSE. Smart Contract technology with blockchain security is undeniably used in the notary profession, where the notary's authority is stated in Article 15 of the Notary Law that the notary is authorized to make authentic deeds, but there are problems in implementing smart contracts in making authentic deeds with blockchain security, namely in the legal certainty regarding the validity and strength of the authentic deed. So that regulations are needed that regulate the application of smart contracts in making authentic deeds with blockchain security in cyber notary services and adequate technology and regulations are needed to support this smart contract service.

A probabilistic automata-based network attack-defense game model for data security by using security service chain

A probabilistic automata-based network attack-defense game model for data security by using security service chain